Hello Beloved,
We have been studying the “epithets” for God. As a reminder, the Oxford English Dictionary defines an epithet as “an adjective or phrase expressing a characteristic quality or attribute of the person or thing mentioned.” Last month, we considered the epithet of God as a “Help.” This month, we will consider the epithet of God as a “Redeemer.”
The English word “Redeemer” is derived from the Latin, whose root meaning is “to buy back.” The result is the “liberation of any possession, object, or person, usually by payment of a ransom.” (Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible) The epithet of Redeemer alludes to God’s attributes of love, mercy, grace, and kindness. Further, it relates to the epithet of “Savior” as God is the source of both physical and spiritual deliverance. God is able to deliver His people from danger, adversity, harm, and trouble.
God is described as “Redeemer” by Job in response to his friends’ accusations as he seeks vindication. Job states, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25 (ESV) David requests that he would be forgiven of hidden faults and preserved from sinning willfully. He concludes this beautiful Psalm of devotion with a well-known prayer, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Isaiah often uses this epithet when speaking of the One True God who chose Israel. In the forty-fourth chapter of Isaiah, after reminding the Jews of God’s care for them, Isaiah writes, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.’” Isaiah 44:24 (ESV) In speaking of the Servant (Jesus) who will be a light to the nations, Isaiah writes, “Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: ‘Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’” Isaiah 49:7 (ESV) Finally, in response to the brutality of the Babylonians and the manner in which they treated God’s people, Jeremiah writes, “Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.” Jeremiah 50:34 (ESV) Though in this newsletter, we are focusing on the epithet of “Redeemer” as relates generally for God, we know that the ultimate redemption accomplished by God, was through the “Redeemer” of His Son Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’”— Galatians 3:13 (ESV)
I leave you with this story:
The following illustration is by Charles Spurgeon: “There is a young girl in heaven now, once a member of this church. I went with one of my beloved deacons to see her when she was very near her departure. She was in the last stage of tuberculosis. Fair and sweetly beautiful she looked, and I think I never heard such syllables as those which fell from that girl’s lips. She had had disappointments, and trials, and troubles, but all these she had not a word to say about, except that she blessed God for them; they had brought her nearer to the Savior. And when we asked her whether she was not afraid of dying, ‘No,’ she said, ‘the only thing I fear is this, I am afraid of living, lest my patience should wear out. I have not said an impatient word yet, sir; I hope I shall not. It is sad to be so very weak, but I think if I had my choice, I would rather be here than be in good health, for it is very precious to me; I know that my Redeemer liveth, and I am waiting for the moment when he shall send his chariot of fire to take me up to him.’ I put the question, ‘Have you not any doubts?’ ‘No, none, sir; why should I? I clasp my arms around the neck of Christ.’ ‘And have not you any fear about your sins?’ ‘No, sir, they are all forgiven; I trust the Savior’s precious blood.’ ‘And do you think that you will be as brave as this when you come actually to die?’ ‘Not if he leaves me, sir, but he will never leave me, for he said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee’” (Heb. 13:5). (AMG Bible Illustrations)
Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”